The faithful must be taught that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and that therefore the worship of latria or adoration belonging to God is owed to Christ present in this sacrament. There is a twofold purpose here: that none will find in the new rite anything disturbing to personal devotion toward the Eucharist; that this sacrament, the source, and cause of unity by its very nature, will not become an occasion of discord between members of the faithful. 95% of parishes shrinking, seminaries empty, young people disengaged: it will happen in Africa and Asia too when the culture of the secular West overwhelms the Third World. ODonaghues post, I note with interest that the countries in which Communion in the hand is alleged to have been most prevalent either did not apply for or at any rate receive an indult in these first 8 years of results. 5. Other way round, it was in the hand and changed to the tongue circa 900 in the west. Nowhere in this article did I see what the CHURCH says about Holy Communion, only the writers opinion. This formula should not be altered, as it is a proclamation which calls for a response of faith on the part of the one who receives. Think of what you receive in your hand and keep it clean of all greed and theft. It must also increase their faith in the sublime reality of the Lords body and blood, which they touch with their hand. First, Cyril: Coming up to receive, therefore, do not approach with your wrists extended or your fingers splayed, but making your left hand a throne for the right (for it is about to receive a King) and cupping your palm, so receive the Body of Christ; and answer: Amen.[20], To receive the Sacrament which is given, a person stretches out his right hand, and under it he places the left hand. At the same time he has taken into account the reasons given to support your request and the outcome of the vote taken on this matter. It was proved that belief in the Real Presence is abysmal. But back in the West, where most of us at PT are from, the Church is struggling. So they reintroduced the practice of Communion in the hand (it had been originally introduced as a widespread practice by the Arian heretics of the Fourth Century to deny that Jesus is God). There are many devout Catholics who find this practice helpful. The usage of communion in the hand must be accompanied by relevant instruction or catechesis on Catholic teaching regarding Christs real and permanent presence under the eucharistic elements and the proper reverence toward this sacrament. Copyright PrayTellBlog.com I dont read any statement with canonical force saying that only those countries may apply for an indult. Alternatively, it is permissible to adopt a simpler procedure, namely, allowing the faithful themselves to take the host from the ciborium or paten. Your email address will not be published. A: The answer to this question is somewhat complex. Maybe this is due to decades of poor or heterodox catechesis on the Sacraments. Henry Percival and ed. In defending his push to give Communion to grave sinners, McElroy reiterated his belief that conscience has the "privileged place" over doctrine in decision-making and suggested that it can . [27] John Chrysostom, Baptismal Instruction, 12.15-16, trans. The problem of lack of reverence stems not from the manner of receiving Communion but from the lack of faith, awe, and gratitude before this great mystery. The restorers of the rite probably had the beautiful simplicity and symbolism of the medieval rite in mind but did not take the changed circumstances sufficiently into account. In this he shows a great fear, and since the hand that is stretched out holds a higher rank, it is the one that is extended for receiving the body of the King, and the other hand bears and brings its sister hand, while not thinking that it is playing the role of a servant, as it is equal with it in honour, on account of the bread of the King, which is also borne by it. When receiving in the hand, the communicant should be guided by the words of St. Cyril of Jerusalem . Since Christ is really, substantially, sacramentally present but not physically, being OC over crumbs is not devotion. It is not solely the result of some weird medieval form of reverence.
Part I - Holy Communion: The Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus - USCCB Communion should not be received on the run, as you're walking back to your place; it should be consumed before you leave the area below the altar. If our reader had said that he believed that Communion in the hand was more prone to dangers of accidents and profanation, I would accept the argument. I am just wondering what the reason or reasons were for allowing reception of Communion in the hand to begin with? The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. Those who receive Communion may receive either in the hand or on the tongue, and the decision should be that of the individual receiving, not of the person distributing Communion. Fire and Spirit, contrary to nature
Obviously, for better or worse, the NLM has an agenda. Q. Germany, 6 June 1969 [12] Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on Faith 10 and Hymns on Virginity 33.7. On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of Communion. Aaron, LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Catholics want to know if it is allowed for their bishops and priests to require Communion be received only on in the hand instead of on the tongue. Uruguay,October 15 1969 My three hypotheses were less well researched opinions on my part, theyre not (that last one was a joke on Cdl Sarahs comments, sorry if that wasnt clear), but simply launchpoints in an honest discussion on the impact of Pope Pauls Indult, and the circumstances surrounding it, whether or not they hold any real merit. Jeffrey T. Wickes FotC 130 (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2015). The Eucharist may not be received while a person has mortal sin in their soul. One could have perfect adoration of Real Presence in humble posture and, at least in theory, miss the point of Communion. Consider that you not only receive this gift in your hand, but that you also bring it up to your mouth, and keep your tongue clean of all disgraceful and outrageous words, blasphemy, perjury and all other sins of this sort. Hard to believe that Catechesis has never been better if that fundamental is misunderstood. The Pope grants that throughout the territory of your conference, each bishop may, according to his prudent judgment and conscience, authorize in his diocese the introduction of the new rite for giving communion. My overarching point in all this (as someone who receives comfortably in both manners) is that I dont think common concerns with reception in the hand have been treated with adequate seriousness by many its defenders. . What if our way of calling our fellow Christians to a higher way were based on loving example and not polemics? Take a step or two to the side to make way for the next communicant, then receive our Lord. They are also to be instructed not to omit after communion the sincere and appropriate thanksgiving that is in keeping with their individual capacities, state, and occupation. [18] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6.43.18. As seen above, the U.S. bishops were not among the first to permit Communion in the hand. Cyril of Jerusalem [c. 313-386], Catechetical Lectures, 23:21-22) Several more but no room here. In the United States, the body of Bishops has determined that "[t]he norm is that Holy Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling"and that a bow is the act of reverence made by those receiving (no. R. E. Heine FotC 21 (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 1982). The way you put it, it doesnt sound obsessive-compulsive but salutary. [1] This RCIA Process is the way in which you are prepared to be formally received by the Church; this is necessary before you can take Communion.
A Pastoral Guide to Receiving Communion - Crisis Magazine Indeed, it can be dangerous for contagion. However, it was a brief exchange with ones immediate neighbors and at a time when men and women occupied separate aisles in the church. Part 4. A. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist: St.
What Everyone Should Know About How To Receive Holy Communion We have no nets to cast deeply. The Council was a start, but we have allowed ourselves to get sidetracked in silly and divisive banter. Those who receive Communion may receive either in the hand or on the tongue, and the decision should be that of the individual receiving, not of the person distributing Communion. The usage of communion in the hand must be accompanied by relevant instruction or catechesis on Catholic teaching regarding Christs real and permanent presence under the eucharistic elements and the proper reverence toward this sacrament. Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread (1 Cor 10:16-17). From a hygienic point of view, the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. can. England and Wales, 6 March 1976 Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA. [21] Theodore of Mopsuestia, catech. With regard to the first precept, Origen of Alexandria cautions, You who are accustomed to take part in divine mysteries know, when you receive the body of the Lord, how you protect it with all caution and veneration lest any small part fall from it, lest anything of the consecrated gift be lost. I did an internet search about the history of communion in the hand in the U.S. and the only thing I found was an article by the NLM. The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. On the other hand, if the sins are not so great that a person should be judged to deserve excommunication, he ought not to withdraw from the daily medicine of the Lords body.[26]. They probably never foresaw its subsequent, and occasionally chaotic, development in some parts of the Church. From this brief historical survey, however, we know that this need not be the case, and we can look to the Fathers for a pious example as we seek to foster reverence towards the Eucharist in the liturgy today. This would be done especially if it is very difficult or impossible to fulfill the necessary conditions as outlined in the documents above. FYI, the announcement that approval for Communion in the Hand was given (in 1969) to Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, and Chad appeared in Notitiae in v. 6 (1969), no. First, Cyril: Coming up to receive, therefore, do not approach with your wrists extended or your fingers splayed, but making your left hand a throne for the right (for it is about to receive a King) and cupping your palm, so receive the Body of Christ; and answer: "Amen." [20] Here is what Theodore says: The Church understands the Communion Procession, in fact every procession in liturgy, as a sign of the pilgrim Church, the body of those who believe in Christ, on their way to the Heavenly Jerusalem. Our worship ought to create common unity under Christ, not destroy it. The list obviously is not complete, for this article says that Germany and France both received permission from the Holy See on the same day in 1969: If one is left-handed this is reversed. SACRED CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP, Letter En reponse a la demande, to presidents of those conferences of bishops petitioning the indult for communion in the hand, 29 May 1969: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 61 (1969) 546-547; Notitiae 5 (1969) 351-353. This is in no way meant to refer to those who, receiving the Lord Jesus in the hand, do so with profound reverence and devotion, in those countries where this practice has been authorized.. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The General Instruction asks each country's Conference of Bishops to determine the posture to be used for the reception of Communion and the act of reverence to be made by each person as he or she receives Communion. It also happens, on occasion, that the free choice of those who prefer to continue the practice of receiving the Eucharist on the tongue is not taken into account in those places where the distribution of Communion in the hand has been authorized.
The debate was interrupted by lunch. The guidelines recommend against serving Communion until gatherings of more than 50 people are allowed. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. Phillip Schaff (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889).
Communion in the hand vs. Communion on the tongue | Crux A situation that, in the US certainly, was not necessarily governed by external uniformity (given the varieties of ethnic piety and cultural practices). For this is what it is to receive unworthily: if one receives at that time when he ought to be doing penance. The liturgical assembly of the baptized that comes together for the celebration of the Eucharist is a witness to, a manifestation of, the pilgrim Church. [5] John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent 28. The option offered to the faithful of receiving the Eucharistic bread in their hand and putting it into their own mouth must not turn out to be the occasion for regarding it as ordinary bread or as just another religious article. Later that year approval was given to Luxembourg, Scandinavia (Scandia), North Africa, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Monaco (see Notitiae v. 7 (1970), no. Do we accept an experience of the Real Presence only when the externals and the lingo of 1950 are seen and heard? For some, however, the experience of the Communion Procession is far more prosaic, analogous perhaps to standing in line in the supermarket or at the motor vehicle bureau. Ruff, I think we both agree that internal reverence is the most important aspect of this discussion (and therefore the ways each manner serves that) and I know many reverent people who do both. I wholeheartedly agree with your comment on another thread that this ongoing discussion is frivolous and is only causing needless division. From the point of view of liturgical law, the relevant documents are the following. The symptoms are myriadI certainly would assent to much of what you cite.
[23], The great and divine Apostle Paul with loud voice calls man created in the image of God, the body and temple of Christ.
Receiving the Host in the Hand | Franciscan Media [11] Council of Constantinople in Trullo, canon 101. What if we were passionate about all that? Several readers pointed out that I made no mention of a text of St. Cyril when mentioning the historical foundations of the practice. Communion in the hand is legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. My country is not on this list but holy communion is the norm. Todd, yes, the Church as a whole is growing thanks to the great efforts of missionaries in Africa and Asia (many are now coming back here), and yes, more people are receiving the Sacraments now than ever. . Who holds the wind in the palm of his hand?
On the part of both the minister and the recipient, whenever the host is placed in the hand of a communicant there must be careful concern and caution, especially about particles that might fall from the hosts. [2] Cyprian, On the Good of Patience 14, On the Lapsed 16 and 26,and Letter 55.9. All of us should receive with great reverence and respect.